Switch mechanism



Jan. 14, 1941. B. VIOLA SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. I.

FIG. 3.

l N V E N TO R BaZd'aJSaWe ZOZQ Jan. 14, 1941. V]Q| A 2,228,899

SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORv ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in switch mechanisms, and refers particularly to a switch mechanism adapted to be actuated by a rotary member, such as an alarm clock winding key which turns when the alarm goes oif.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a switch mechanism which can be readily mounted upon the reverse side of an alarm clock, and which includes an arm which is adapted to be moved either from open to closed, or from closed to open, position by rotation of the winding key of the alarm. Thus an open circuit may be closed, or a closed circuit opened, at the time for which the alarm is set.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a switch mechanism wherein a contact is made or broken through rotary movement of an arm, and wherein the outer extremity of the latter is so arranged relative to a rotary actuating member, such as an alarm winding key, that upon rotation of the member the arm is turned to close a connection, and wherein a pivoted striker plate is provided on the arm so that when the plate is in one position rotation of the member will, through contact with the plate, turn the arm farther to break the connection.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a switch mechanism with means for preventing accidental movement of the arm.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a switch mechanism which is cheap and simple to manufacture and operate, and which can be readily mounted upon an alarm clock, or other suitable mechanism by which it is to be operated at predetermined times.

Having thus briefly stated some of the objects and advantages of the invention I will now proceed to describe the invention in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a rear view of a conventional alarm clock with my switch mechanism mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of my switch mechanism and the striker plate outwardly extended.

Figure 3 is a view of the switch mechanism with the cover of the switch box removed, and the relative position of the alarm winding key shown.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the switch box mounted on the back of an alarm clock.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 wherein the three positions of the winding key and the switch arm are shown.

Figure 6 is a slight modification showing a portion of the switch mechanism in perspective and contacts of slightly varied form.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the switch mechanism showing another modification wherein another form of striker plate is employed, and another slightly varied form of contacts.

Figure 8 is another view of the switch mechanism with the cover removed showing the striker plate employed in Figure 7, the contact arrangement used in Figures 1 to 5, and a removable plug, instead of fixed leads connected to the contacts.

Referring to the drawings, l designates a conventional alarm clock the back of which is shown, and 2 is a winding key for the alarm which rotates in the direction of the arrows D when the alarm goes oil. Secured, as by welding, to the back of the clock I is a base plate 3 which is provided with parallel outwardly flexed margins 3a, and extending through the base plate is a post 4. A switch box 5 is grooved on its underside at 50 to receive the margins 3a of the base plate, and mounted for pivotal movement on the post 4 is an arm 6. Pivoted on the outer extremity of the arm 6 is a striker plate 1, or 1a, which, under certain circumstances hereinafter explained, is adapted to be contacted by the winding key 2 during rotation of the latter to cause the arm 6 to turn about its post 4. Provided in the switch box 5, and usually secured on the base thereof, is a contact 8, 8a or 8b, and also a second contact 9, 9a or 91). Carried by the arm 6 is a movable contact l0, Illa or lob which, in a certain position of the said arm, is adapted to make a connection between the contacts 8 and 9, or 8a and 9a, or 8b and 9b. The two contacts 8, la or 8b, and 9, 9a or 9b are connected to leads H and Ila respectively, either permanently or by means of a removable plug I2 as shown in Figure 8.

Referring to the arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 5, there are three positions of the arm 6 which are indicated at A, B and C in Figure 5. Due to the relative positions of the switch box 5 and the axis of the winding key 2, it will be seen that when the arm 6 is in position A it is so placed as to be turned about the post 4 to its position B by the key during rotation of the latter when the striker plate 1 is in its position indicated in Figures 1, 3 and 4. During that movement the switch is moved from open to closed position, that is the movable contact l0 which constantly wipes the contact 8 is also brought into connection with the second contact 9. Thus if the switch is open (position A) and is to be closed (moved to position B) at a certain time the alarm is set for that time so that rotation then of the key 2 causes the desired movement of the arm 6 about the post 4.

If, however, the switch is closed (position B) and is to be opened at a certain time the striker plate I is moved pivotally about the pin 15 to its outwardly extended position so that then rotation of the key 2 will move the arm 6 through the striker plate 1 into the position indicated at C. In this form of construction it will be noted that the pin I5 is arranged transversely of the arm 6. If the striker plate I is outwardly extended as shown in Figure 2 when the arm 6 is in its-position A then rotation of the key would move the arm through the position B to C, so that the circuit would be closed and immediately reopened, in the event that a short signal were required at a predetermined time.

In the modified arrangement shown in Figure 6, the contacts 8a and 9a are outwardly flexed towards their extremities to be engaged'by the resilient movable contact Illa when the arm 6 is in position B, and a stop l6, made of suitable insulating material, is arranged transversely of the contacts and so positioned that the movable contact Illa rests against it when the arm is in position A. Then a quick connection is made between the contacts 8a and 9a as the arm 6 approaches its position B and the movable contact Ilia slides over the said block. Similarly due to the flexed form of these contacts 8a and 9a. a quick break is made as the arm 6 is moved from its position B to C.

In the modification shown in Figure 7 the striker plate la. is pivotally mounted on the arm 6 by a pin I511 arranged longitudinally of the 40 said arm, so that it may assume either of the two positions shown. The movable contact lob is again made resilient and is adapted to be engaged by and between somewhat different shaped contacts 8b and 9b as it is moved to its position B.

In the modification shown in Figure 8 the striker plate la shown in Figure 7 is again employed on the arm 6, and a removable plug I2 is utilized for connecting the leads H and Ila to the contacts 8 and 9 which are similar to those shown in Figures 1 to 5.

In order to prevent accidental movement of the arm 8 from any of its positions A, B or C a resilient catch i1 is secured to and extends from the said arm, and in the switch box cover 5b a slot I8 is formed having downward depressions or enlargements I841, I81) and I80, one of which is resiliently engaged by the flexed outer extremity of the catch II when the arm is in its position A, B or C, thereby preventing accidental movement of the arm.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, it is understood that further alterations may be made thereto provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A switch mechanism comprising a switch box, two spaced contacts mounted therein, an arm pivoted in said box and projecting therefrom, a movable contact carried by the arm, the latter being adapted to be moved by a rotary er plate and arm to disconnect said spaced contacts.

2. A switch mechanism comprising two spaced, fixed contacts, a pivoted arm, a movable contact carried by the arm, and a striker plate mounted for movement in a single plane on the arm, said arm being adapted to assume any one of three rotary-positions whereby said movable contact alternately makes and breaks a connection between the fixed contacts, said arm being adapted to be contacted and moved by a rotary member from one position to a second, and said striker plate when in one position being adapted to be contacted by said rotary member to move it an." said arm from the second to the third position of the latter.

3. A switch mechanism comprising the combination set forth in claim 2, including means preventing accident movement of the arm when in anyone of its three positions.

4. A switch mechanism comprising a switch to connect the fixed contacts in one rotary posii tion of the arm, the latter being adapted to be contacted and moved by said rotary member from one position to a second position, and a striker plate pivoted on the arm adapted when in one position to be contacted and moved by rotation of the rotary member to move the arm from said second to a third rotary position.

5. A switch mechanism comprising a base plate having flexed parallel margins and adapted to be secured to the back of an alarm clock having an alarm winding key, a switch box having parallel grooves formed therein to receive said fiexed margins, a post extending through said base plate and said switch box, an arm pivoted on said post within the box and projecting outwardly from the latter, spaced contacts in said box, a movable contact carried by said arm adapted to connect the spaced contacts, said arm being adapted to be contacted by the winding key and moved from one position to a second thereby, and a pivoted striker plate on the outer extremity of the arm 6. A switch mechanism comprising a switch box having parallel grooves formed in its underside, a base plate having parallel flexed margins, the latter engaging said grooves, a post extending through said base plate and the base of the switch box, an arm pivoted on said post within the box and projecting beyond the latter, fixed contacts in said box, a movable contact carried by the arm, said arm being adapted to be turned through a predetermined angular distance by rotation of a member in relation to the axis of which the switch box is secured, and a striker plate mounted for movement in a single plane on said arm, said striker plate being adapted to be contacted by the rotary member and the plate and arm moved thereby.

BALDASSARE VIOLA. 

